﻿Currently serving as both a performance center and a movie theater, the Colonial was once referred to as "New England's most modern and perfectly appointed theater."

In it's early days, the theater was host to a number of famous performers and personalities, including Metropolitan Opera star Rosa Ponselle, Thornton Wilder, Amelia Earhart and Maude Adams. By 1945, most of the live performances had been replaced by film presentations.

The Colonial fell into decay during the 1980s, and was almost lost before a group of Keene citizens began a restoration project which eventually saved the theater from destruction.